No. 17: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (5)

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Horse. Black has a General, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H3+4 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black K5-1

2. 2. Red H4-5

   2. Black K5+1

3. 3. Red H5+6 (check)

   3. Black K5-1

4. 4. Red K4+1

   4. Black K5=4

5. 5. Red K4=5

   5. Black K4+1

6. 6. Red K5-1

   6. Black K4+1

7. 7. Red H6+4 (the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   7. Black P3+1

8. 8. Red H4-6

   8. Black K4-1

9. 9. Red H6+8 (check)

   9. Black K4+1

10. 10. Red H8-7 (captures the Soldier, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

    Why it works

    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    10. Black K4-1

11. 11. Red K5+1 (the only legal reply)

    Why it works

    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    11. Black K4-1

12. 12. Red H7+8 (checkmate)

    Why it works

    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

• 1. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Two Horses Class, Game 2
  7 moves
• Two Horses Class, Game 1
  5 moves
• No. 18: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (6)
  15 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 16
  10 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 15
  15 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 14
  9 moves

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